PETA names Bolingbrook woman 2013's 'Sexiest Vegan Next Door'

Yerika Sojo stopped eating meat, dairy, eggs and other animal edibles when she went vegan a few years ago, both for the health benefits and to prevent what she says is the cruelty inflicted on the animals people eat.

Sojo was rewarded for her lifestyle choice when she was named 2013's Sexiest Vegan Next Door earlier this month by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an animal-rights group better known as PETA.

The Bolingbrook resident said she was "really surprised" that she won the contest.

Along with the distinction of beating out hundreds of other entrants, Sojo scored a trip to Hawaii with the win.

It was Sojo's second year entering the contest.

"It was a tough competition this year," Sojo said. "But I'm really excited and really honored to represent PETA. They do an amazing job."

Anyone can enter, and people vote online for their favorite contestant, according to PETA's Lauren Stroyeck.

The contest, in its 10th year, involved people submitting a photo and short biography of themselves, Stroyeck said.

A panel then decides the winner among the top 10 female and male vote getters, she said.

"This contest is very popular," Stroyeck said. "It's a fun and really upbeat way to show how going vegan gives us so many health and sexiness benefits."

The contest sought the sexiest vegetarian in past years, Stroyeck said.

But organizers changed it to sexiest vegan as the diet — which entails eating no animal products whatsoever — has become more mainstream.

Stroyeck said Sojo was chosen because of her enthusiasm in promoting the vegan lifestyle.

"She's a great advocate and someone that we thought would be an excellent example of what's so sexy about being vegan," she said of Sojo.